A foremost anti-cult campaign group in Nigeria, Vision Savers Global Outreach has taken its advocacy to the students of Abia State University, ABSU Uturu at its recently concluded matriculation programme.
The group says it seeks to roll out this awareness programme among the matriculating students as a way of getting them sufficiently equipped on the need to shun cultism and other social vices as they embark on their academic journey.
The non-governmental organisation has in the past couple of years been at the forefront in the anti-cult awareness campaign especially among private and public secondary schools, covering the South East region of the country, South South and parts of North Central, with Abuja as a cardinal focus.
The group led by an ex-cult leader and a graduate of Computer Science, Apostle Emmanuel Obasi is believed to have achieved a milestone since the commencement of the advocacy campaign in 2010 as several cult members have denounced allegiance in various parts of the country.
At the ABSU exercise, the group and its volunteers were seen wielding placards with different inscriptions such as “say no to cultism”, “shun social vices”, “be the solution not the problem”, “cultism destroys”, “crime is a dream killer”, “evil association ends in fatal regret” and more while the students marched through.
The parents were urged to form a closeness with their children and create an atmosphere for them (children) to share their experiences in school especially when they are being bullied and intimidated.
Addressing the students, a volunteer of Vision Savers Global Outreach, Mrs. Treasure Emmanuel urged them to bring honour and pride to their parents and communities and shun anything that will truncate their academic pursuits.
Some of the students could not hide their excitement as they commence an academic journey that will further shape their future, saying it is a say they have looked forward to.
Salvation, Okezie Daniel and other students promised to abide by the advocacy message of the group and thanked Vision Savers Global Outreach for the awareness.
A final year student of the school, Oriedima Victor advised the students to be focused and avoid immoral act, cautioning that cultism is not a profitable venture.
He also urged them to reject any negative influence that could lure them into a regrettable end.
The group is also soliciting for more volunteers and sponsors as well.
